SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-330.01
AMSAT-OSCAR-13 ZRO TEST SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 1995
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 238.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD NOVEMBER 26, 1995
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-330.01
The ZRO Memorial Technical Achievement Award Program, or just
"ZRO Test", has a new schedule for December 1995, via
AMSAT-OSCAR-13. This activity is a test of operating skill and
equipment performance.
During a typical ZRO run, a control station will send numeric
code groups using CW at 10 words-per-minute. At the beginning of
the run, uplink power from the control station is set to match
the general beacon downlink strength. This is level "zero". The
control operator will send and repeat a random five-digit number,
then lower his uplink power by 3 dB (half power) and repeat the
procedure with a new random number (level "1"). This will
continue to a level 30 dB below the beacon (level "A").
A participating listener monitors the downlink signals until they
can no longer copy the numbers. Those who can hear the beacon
will qualify for the basic award by copying the code group heard
at level "zero". The challenge is to improve home-station
performance to a point where the lower-level downlink signals can
be copied (levels 6 through A). To date, only one station
(Darrel Emerson AA7FV) has successfully copied level "A".
The following schedule of Mode "B" tests were chosen for
convenient operating times and favorable squint angles. The
tests can be heard on 145.840 MHz. Andy, WA5ZIB, will conduct
all the tests. Mode "JL" tests are no longer possible due to
the failure of AO-13's 70-cm transmitter. Due to the orbit of
A-O-13, coverage is limited and does not include Alaska, Europe
or Japan. If you haven't participated in ZRO Tests in the past,
now is a good time to start. The tests can only be scheduled
during optimum operating periods during Nadir-pointing seasons,
and we are into the last year of life for A-O-13.
Day Date (UTC) Time Areas covered
Sunday Dec. 3, 1995 2230 UTC NA,
SA
Saturday Dec. 16, 1995 1930 UTC NA, SA, Africa
Saturday Dec. 23, 1995 2330 UTC NA, SA, NZ
Note that the dates and days are shown in "UTC". Any changes
will be announced as soon as possible via the AMSAT HF and A-O-13
Operations Nets.
All listener reports, with date of test and numbers copied,
should be sent to Andy MacAllister WA5ZIB, AMSAT VP. User
Operations, 14714 Knights Way Drive, Houston, TX 77083-5640. A
report will be returned verifying the level of accurate
reception. An S.A.S.E. is appreciated, but not required.
Information about the AMSAT Awards Program can be found on page
197 of the "Proceedings of the AMSAT-NA Tenth Space Symposium"
(1992). This paper, covering all the AMSAT-NA awards including
specifics on the ZRO Test, was reprinted on page 10 in the
March/April 1993 issue of "The AMSAT Journal". The ZRO Test
information provided in the article covers test procedures, means
for obtaining certificates and gives some historical background
about the program. Reprints of the article can be obtained for
an S.A.S.E. to WA5ZIB at the address above.
ANS thanks Andy MacAllister WA5ZIB for this information.
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-330.02
SATELLITE STATUS
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 238.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD NOVEMBER 26, 1995
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-330.02
KO-25 ACTIVE AGAIN
Roy Welch W0SL reports that it looks as if KO-25 is up again. He
repots uploading and downloading a message earliear this week.
He reports that he "had it all to myself".
ANS thanks W0SL for this information.
/EX